With the 2019 MLB Draft now just one week out, we thought it was time to start looking at each position and the top players who will be available there in this class. We have started at first base, are continuing today with shortstop, and will continue with catchers before moving to the outfield, then left and right handed pitchers in separate pieces.
Note that these pieces will not all be equal, as there are just so many more guys at certain positions that deserve to be talked about (outfield, right handed pitchers), while you have other spots where the depth is not very strong behind the top guys (first base, second base).
It’s also worth noting that if a player you are expecting to see is not listed at a particular position, they could be listed at another position. One example of this is at first base, where Michael Busch will be found- rather than the outfield.
Shortstop is a strong group this year, especially the college shortstop class. However the top two guys on most boards are each prep players. Outside of one guy the college guys all have a question mark about them, but each one has plenty of reason to be taken high next week.
Top 10 Guys
- Bobby Witt Jr., Texas HS
The son of former big leaguer Bobby Witt has been considered the top prospect in this prep class for years, and closes out his career on top of the prep rankings. Witt is a true five tool guy with excellent makeup and intangibles along with a track record for success in big events. The only question at all is how he’s sometimes struggled with elite velocity leading to hit tool questions- but those questions haven’t stopped people from projecting him as a franchise shortstop.
2. CJ Abrams, GA HS
The very athletic Georgia prep talent is a guy I got a chance to see and wrote up here. I gave him a comp as a player similar to Dee Gordon, but with more power and less of a hit tool. Abrams is a very high upside prospect because of how toolsy he is and the fact he only needs to hit a little to make an impact,
3. Bryson Stott, UNLV
Bryson Stott is the unquestioned top shortstop in this deep college crop. He was seen as a potential top pick last summer, but after a disappointing showing at Team USA, he dropped a bit further down the first round.
Stott has rebounded this spring and has hit .369/.498/.636 with 19 doubles, two triples, 10 homers, 15 steals in 19 attempts, and 50 walks to his 37 strikeouts.
He has everything you could ask for in a shortstop, as he will stick there defensively, hit for some average, and hit for some power. He’s got the potential to be among the better shortstops in the game, though he lacks the true superstar upside of the two guys ranked above him.
4. Gunnar Henderson, Alabama HS
A bigger framed Alabama prep shortstop, Gunnar Henderson is moving up boards fast. This all state basketball star is very athletic and has a frame similar to that of Manny Machado in that many expect an eventual move to third.
Henderson is a guy with real power potential and the ability to be an impact defender at third if he does need to move, explaining why he’s moving up draft boards late in the process.
5. Logan Davidson, Clemson
Another prospect I saw in Atlanta is Clemson star Logan Davidson. Since that review covers a lot on him, I don’t have a lot of additional information to add here.
Basically if you think Davidson hits, he’s got the ability to be a superstar, as he’s got the rest of the toolset needed to reach that type of upside. Of course the question on whether or not he can hit won’t be answered until he reaches pro ball. Really all you need for the rest of his tools to be playable is a 40 grade hit tool.
6. Brady McConnell, Florida
Two years ago, Brady McConnell was seen as the best high school hitter that made it to college. After a disappointing freshman season for the Gators, the draft eligible sophomore has reestablished himself as a high upside shortstop prospect.
McConnell had a .409 OPS though 22 at bats as a freshman, but this year is hitting .344/.397/.604 with 10 doubles and 15 homers. There is some reason for concern with his 16 walks against 53 strikeouts, but with three plus tools and major improvements this year over last, teams may be able to look past his swing and miss to see a high upside shortstop prospect.
7. Will Wilson, NC State
Will Wilson is a bat first middle infield prospect who has gotten better in each of his three years at NC State. Wilson has seen his OPS go from .881 to .964, all the way up to 1.153 this spring, and has seen his extra base hits move up as well.
As a freshman Wilson had 21 doubles, two triples, and eight homers for 31 extra base hits. Last year it was 16 doubles, three triples, and 15 homers for 34 extra base hits. This year he’s at 19 doubles, a triple, and 16 homers for 36 extra base hits and counting. In addition Wilson has had his walks increase each year while the strikeout totals have dropped in each year to the point that he’s walked 31 times to 39 strikeouts this spring.
While that sounds like a promising bat it is important to remember that’s really all that Wilson offers- a good bat with power, but not a true middle of the order guy. Wilson is a below average runner, and while he’s solid defensively many think he is best suited for second base in the future. Should Wilson move to second base he has the offensive upside to potentially challenge for some All Star selections.
8. Braden Shewmake, Texas A&M
Braden Shewmake jumped onto the radar with a big freshman season for the Aggies, and has continued to hit well ever since. His production dropped a bit in 2018, and stayed at the 2018 level this year- but at least he’s been consistent and hasn’t hit below .309 in any of his three seasons. The bigger question is the fact that his power hasn’t really been a big factor, as he has combined for 11 homers in the past two seasons - a total matching his freshman season.
Shewmake is considered to be an excellent hitter with great contact ability. While he doesn’t walk a ton, he also keeps his strikeouts down. There is some hope that he can fill in his 6’4 frame a bit more to increase his power production but not everyone is convinced. Shewmake is a very good athlete and a solid defender, though he may need to move to second base longterm.
9. Jamari Baylor, Virginia HS
One of the interesting helium guys this spring is Jamari Baylor out of Virginia. Baylor has moved up draft boards thanks to his bat, and he projects to have big raw power and already has the bat speed to catch up with premium velocity. He is also a quality athlete, though there is some thought he may eventually need to move to third base as he starts to mature.
How high Baylor goes is going to be a bit of a mystery at present, but one thing is for sure- there isn’t a potential shortstop with a higher offensive upside in this class outside of Witt.
10. Kyren Paris, California HS
Kyren Paris is among the younger top prospects in the class, which actually gives him a boost for some teams. Paris is a strong defender who has an ability to put the barrel of the bat on the ball, though he lacks much power at present. He’s been moving up this spring, and if you believe there is a little more raw power in his bat at maturity then you may be willing to draft a player like Paris on the first night of the draft.
The Next 10 Names:
11. Brooks Lee, California HS
12. Greg Jones, UNC Wilmington
13. Nasim Nunez, Georgia HS
14. Anthony Volpe, New Jersey HS
15. Josh Smith, LSU
16. Will Holland, Auburn
17. Yordy Valdez, Florida HS
18. Matthew Lugo, Puerto Rico HS
19. Christian Cairo, Florida HS
20. Myles Austin, Georgia HS
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